Introduction: Seed-based analysis has shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can modulate the dysfunctional brain network in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the voxel-based neuropsychological mechanism of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week course of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD. Methods: Twenty-two patients with first-episode MDD accepted an 8-week course of taVNS treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed before and after treatment. Voxel-based analyses were performed to characterize spontaneous brain activity. Healthy controls (n=23) were recruited to minimize test-retest effects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to ascertain treatment-related changes. Then, correlations between changes in brain activity and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)/Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) remission rate were estimated. Results: Significant group-by-time interactions on voxel-based analyses were observed in the inferior ventral striatum (VSi) and precuneus. Post-hoc analyses showed that taVNS inhibited higher brain activity in the VSi, while upregulating it in the precuneus. Functional connectivity (FC) between the VSi and precuneus decreased. Positive correlations were found between the HAM-D remission rate and changes in brain activity in the VSi. Conclusion: taVNS reduced the FC between VSi and precuneus by normalizing the abnormal spontaneous brain activity of VSi in first-episode MDD patients.

ABSTRACT Due to its high nutritional value, broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) is one of the most popular vegetables worldwide. This study assessed 36 phenotypic characteristics of 111 broccoli varieties to understand the phenotypic diversity of new broccoli varieties and improve their breeding speed with advantages and characteristics in China, including 108 new varieties and three varieties of common knowledge. The genetic diversity, the principal component, and the cluster of phenotypic characteristics of broccoli varieties were further investigated. The results showed that the coefficients of variation of 36 characteristics ranged between 11.18 % and 94.99 %, with their diversity index between 0.26 and 1.82. The 111 broccoli varieties were further classified into eight groups, primarily attributed to the differences in phenotypic characteristics, including curd weight, main stem thickness, plant development degree, plant height, and anthocyanin coloration. The cumulative contribution rate of the first five principal components reached 81.186 %, corresponding to 12 representative phenotypic traits. The analysis indicated that the phenotypic characteristics of broccoli were rich in diversity, especially for several characteristics appreciated by the market, such as weight, curd firmness, and anthocyanin coloration. This study revealed the basic information on the genetic diversity of new broccoli varieties in China from 2017 to 2019 and provided potential breeding strategies for broccoli to meet diverse market demands.

Abstract To illuminate changes in the secondary metabolic spectrum and hypoglycemic activity between Rose roxburghii fruit fermented (RRFF) by Chinese traditional distiller’s yeast and R. roxburghii fruit (RRF) using UPLC–MS/MS and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Secondary metabolomics in the RRFF apparently differs from those in RRF; 32 pentacyclic triterpenoids were identified first, and ursolic acid-substituted roxburix acids were found to be the marker compounds. Testing of HepG2 cells indicated that RRFF had good glucose consumption capacity. Additionally, fasting blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance tests, plasma insulin levels and insulin resistance in diabetic mice indicated that RRFF was better than RRF. More importantly, RRFF exhibited good structure in pancreatic tissue. These results indicate that the fermentation process is beneficial for increasing the content of triterpenoids and enhancing hypoglycemic activity. Traditional fermentation with Chinese traditional distiller’s yeast can provide a way to expand the application of nutritious fruits with short shelf life.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play critical roles in restricting inflammatory pathogenesis and limiting undesirable Th2 response to environmental allergens. However, the role of miR-181a in regulating acute gouty arthritis (AGA) and Treg function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of miR-181a in Treg immunity and the associated signaling pathway in the AGA mouse model. A solution with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals was injected into the joint tissue of mice to induce AGA. ELISA was used to examine inflammatory factors in blood samples, and flow cytometry was used to analyze Treg profile in mice with MSU-induced AGA. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed by CCK-8 assay. TGF-β1/Smad signaling activation was detected by western blot. We found that miR-181a expression showed a positive correlation with the changes of splenic Tregs percentage in AGA mice. miR-181a regulated the TGF-β1/Smad axis, since the transfection of miR-181a mimic increased the level of TGF-β1 and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in Tregs in AGA mice. Additionally, miR-181a mimic also promoted responses of Tregs via TGF-β1 in vitro and in vivo. Our work uncovered a vital role of miR-181a in the immune function of Treg cells by mediating the activity of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway in the AGA mouse model induced by MSU.

Abstract Gut bacterial β-glucuronidase (GUS) can reactivate xenobiotics that exert enterohepatic circulation- triggered gastrointestinal tract toxicity. GUS inhibitors can alleviate drug-induced enteropathy and improve treatment outcomes. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. and its major constituents against Escherichia coli GUS (EcGUS), and characterized the inhibitory mechanism of each of the components. Trans-resveratrol 4’-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (HZ-1) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (HZ-2) isolated from P. cuspidatum were identified as the key components and potent inhibitors. These two components displayed strong to moderate inhibitory effects on EcGUS, with Ki values of 9.95 and 1.95 μM, respectively. Results from molecular docking indicated that HZ-1 and HZ-2 could interact with the key residues Asp163, Ser360, Ile 363, Glu413, Glu504, and Lys 568 of EcGUS via hydrogen bonding. Our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effect of P. cuspidatum and its two components on EcGUS, which supported the further evaluation and development of P. cuspidatum and its two active components as novel candidates for alleviating drug-induced damage in the mammalian gut.

RESUMO Introdução: O exercício aeróbico pode melhorar a função física de atletas e aumentar o conteúdo de oxigênio nos músculos esqueléticos. Isso tem valor referencial importante na avaliação de efeitos do treinamento e no julgamento da fadiga pela prática de esportes. Objetivo: A captação máxima de oxigênio é um dos indicadores cruciais da capacidade aeróbica. A tese analisa o efeito médico de se incentivar exercícios físicos para o conteúdo de oxigênio do músculo esquelético. Métodos: a tese realizou exercícios aeróbicos em dois grupos de jovens remadores. Os atletas do grupo A realizaram exercícios de alta carga; os atletas do grupo B realizaram exercícios de baixa carga. Ao mesmo tempo, colocamos um detector nos músculos esqueléticos dos atletas para testar o conteúdo de oxigênio no músculo e outros indicadores fisiológicos. Resultados: Ao compararmos exercícios de alta carga e de baixa carga, a captação máxima de oxigênio e o índice de utilização de captação máxima de oxigênio ao atingir o ganho aeróbico foram 10% e 16% mais altos, respectivamente. Não houve diferença na atividade de enzimas musculares entre os dois grupos. Conclusões: Após o treino aeróbico, a utilização de oxigênio do músculo se fortalece. O exercício físico promove a máxima captação de oxigênio dos músculos esqueléticos. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação de resultados de tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aerobic exercise can improve the physical function of athletes and increase the oxygen content in skeletal muscles. This has a significant reference value for evaluating training effects and judging sports fatigue. Objective: Maximum oxygen uptake is one of the most critical indicators of aerobic work capacity. The thesis analyzes the medical promotion effect of physical exercise on the oxygen content of skeletal muscle. Methods: The thesis performed aerobic exercises on two groups of young rowers. Athletes in group A performed high-load exercise, and athletes in group B performed low-load exercise. At the same time, we placed a detector on the athletes’ skeletal muscle to test the volunteer's muscle oxygen content and other physiological indicators. Results: Comparing high-load exercise and low-load exercise, the maximum oxygen uptake and the utilization rate of the maximum oxygen uptake when reaching the anaerobic net were 10% and 16% higher, respectively. There was no difference in the activity of muscle enzymes between the two groups. Conclusions: After aerobic training, the muscle's oxygen utilization capacity is strengthened. Physical exercise promotes the maximum oxygen uptake of skeletal muscles. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: El ejercicio aeróbico puede mejorar la función física de atletas y aumentar el contenido de oxígeno en los músculos esqueléticos. Eso tiene valor referencial importante en la evaluación de efectos del entrenamiento y al juzgar la fatiga por la práctica de deportes. Objetivo: El consumo máximo de oxígeno es uno de los indicadores cruciales de la capacidad aeróbica. La tesis analiza el efecto médico de incentivar ejercicios físicos para el contenido de oxígeno del músculo esquelético. Métodos: La tesis realizó ejercicios aeróbicos en dos grupos de jóvenes remeros. Los atletas del grupo A realizaron ejercicios de alta carga, y los atletas del grupo B realizaron ejercicios de baja carga. Al mismo tiempo, pusimos un detector en los músculos esqueléticos de los atletas para probar el contenido de oxígeno en el músculo y otros indicadores fisiológicos. Resultados: Al comparar ejercicios de alta carga y de baja carga, el consumo máximo de oxígeno y el índice de utilización del consumo máximo de oxígeno al atingir el gano aeróbico fueron 10% y 16% más altos, respectivamente. No hubo diferencia en la actividad de enzimas musculares entre los dos grupos. Conclusiones: Tras el entrenamiento aeróbico, la utilización de oxígeno del músculo se fortalece. El ejercicio físico promueve el máximo consumo de oxígeno de los músculos esqueléticos. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

A series of nitramino-derivatives of pyrrole were designed through introducing the nitramino group into pyrrole ring to look for high-energy-density compounds. The molecular stabilities are explored thoroughly based on the calculated heats of formation, bond dissociation energy, and bond order at the B3PW91/6-311+G(d,p) level. The results indicated that the molecules designed in this paper have enough stability not only thermally but also kinetically. To evaluate the potential application as high-energy-density compounds, the detonation velocity and detonation pressure are calculated by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equation. Based on the calculation both of stability and detonation characters, four nitramino-derivatives of pyrrole (D1: 2,3-trinitramino-1H-pyrrole, D2: 2,3,4-trinitramino-1H-pyrrole, D3: 2,3,5-trinitramino-1H- pyrrole and E: 2,3,4,5- tetranitramino- 1H-pyrrole) are screened out as potential high-energy-density molecules for further study.

Abstract As the demand for probiotic foods continues to increase and lactose intolerance is common, it is necessary to develop a range of non-milk probiotic beverages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preparation process of fermented probiotic beverages using various vegetables as raw materials, and to evaluate the chemical and organoleptic properties of the mixed fermented vegetable juices. The mixed fermented vegetable juice was a beverage obtained by mixing the vegetable juice (purple cabbage, tomato and carrot) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum and the yam juice fermented by the yeast in an appropriate ratio. During lactobacillus fermentation (48 hours at 30 °C), the cell count of Lactobacillus plantarum increased from 7.49 ± 0.21 log CFU/mL to 9.13 ± 0.19 log CFU/mL (p < 0.05), the glucose decreased from 8.924 g/L to 5.528 g/L, and the pH decreased from 5.03 to 3.62. Oxidation activity slightly decreased. The lactic acid and titratable acid/total acid content increased, and the trend of change was similar. During the yeast fermentation (28 °C, 24h), the glucose was almost depleted and ethanol was accumulated. GC-MS analysis showed that microbial fermentation had a significant effect on volatile components. The sensory evaluation results showed that the proper mixing of fermented vegetable juice and fermented yam juice had a significant increase in taste, odor and overall acceptance of the product. The mixed fermented vegetable juice has the potential to adapt to the consumer groups and has in-depth research value.

Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus (FT1DM) has received clinical attention for its low incidence and poor prognosis. Currently, few cases of FT1DM are associated with pregnancy in clinical practice, but it poses a great threat to the life of mothers and infants. Here, we present two cases of FT1DM in pregnancy. In Case 1, the patient was a 26-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with reduced fetal movement. She was diagnosed with FT1DM and delivered a dead female fetus. Lispro and lantus were administered to control blood glucose, and lipoic acid for antioxidant therapy. In Case 2, the patient was a 28-year-old woman who developed nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and polydipsia, which later proved to be FT1DM. An abortion was induced and blood glucose levels were controlled using an insulin pump. All physicians should be aware of this disease in order to provide prompt diagnosis and emergency treatment, thus improving maternal prognosis. We suggest that plasma glucose/hemoglobin A1C ratio be adopted as a new clinical parameter in predicting FT1DM.

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method based on conductive polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers which were fabricated by electrospinning and in situ polymerization was developed. PPy nanofibers-mediated SPE followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the determination of three synthetic estrogens, namely diethylstilbestrol (DES), dienestrol (DIS), or hexestrol (HS) in milk sample. Extraction conditions including extraction nanofibers, donor solution pH and salt concentration were optimized. The target compounds were extracted from a 0.5 mL aqueous sample at pH 5.0 through PPy fibers, and then were eluted with 0.1 mL methanol. After extraction, the eluant was directly injected into an HPLC system for detection. Under the optimized extraction conditions, a large enrichment factor was achieved for three estrogens. The limit of detection (LOD) at a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 3 ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 µg mL-1 for the estrogens in milk sample.

ABSTRACT Background: primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) have a significantly worse survival rate. Fenofibrate has been shown to improve the short-term biochemical response in this group of patients. However, there is limited data available on the safety and efficacy of its long-term use, especially in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: in this retrospective cohort study, fenofibrate was given to PBC patients with a suboptimal response to at least 12 months of UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/d) therapy. Biochemistry data, GLOBE score and UK-PBC risk score at baseline and at different time points of treatment were compared. The safety profiles were also compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patient groups. Results: fenofibrate (200 mg/day) was given to 39 PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA (15 cirrhotic and 24 non-cirrhotic patients). In the 26 patients who completed more than one year of combination therapy, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were 215 (185, 326) U/l, 122 (110, 202) U/l, 128 (106, 194) U/l, 124 (100, 181) U/l and 120 (82, 168) U/l, at baseline, three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. All p values were < 0.01 when compared to baseline values. After two years of combination therapy, the UK-PBC risk score and GLOBE score did not significantly improve. The overall rates of adverse events were not significantly different between the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic group. The elevation of liver enzymes was the most frequent side effect (n = 7), leading to a discontinuation in four patients. Furthermore, after two years of combination therapy, the serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were significantly worse in both groups. Conclusion: fenofibrate add-on therapy could improve ALP and -GT levels in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA. However, patients need to be monitored carefully for a potential liver injury and nephrotoxicity.

RESUMO Este estudo explora a nacionalização da cerveja na China no século XX. Usando o quadro teórico da "infraestrutura culinária", mostra como as instalações físicas e tecnologias de fabricação e comercialização interagiram com culturas locais de bebida para moldar os entendimentos de cerveja na China. Começa por descrever como um bem de consumo ocidental originalmente comercializado por representantes coloniais foi gradualmente adotado pelo chinês urbano como símbolo da modernidade na primeira metade do século XX. Em seguida, analisa a nacionalização das cervejarias de propriedade estrangeira e o crescimento da produção doméstica nas primeiras décadas do regime comunista. O estudo conclui que os chineses adquiriram o gosto pela cerveja como marca diária de privilégios urbanos que sobreviveu ao radicalismo maoísta e permanece até hoje uma característica definidora da China comunista.

ABSTRACT This essay explores the nationalization of beer in twentieth-century China. Using the theoretical framework of "culinary infrastructure," it shows how the physical facilities and technologies of brewing and marketing interacted with local drinking cultures to shape the understandings of beer in China. It begins by describing how a western consumer good originally marketed to colonial representatives was gradually adopted by the urban Chinese as a symbol of modernity in the first half of the twentieth century. It then reviews the nationalization of foreign-owned breweries and the growth of domestic production in the first decades of Communist rule. The essay concludes that the Chinese acquired a taste for beer as an everyday marker of urban privilege that survived Maoist radicalism and remains to this day a defining feature of Communist China.

RESUMEN Este ensayo explora la nacionalización de la cerveza en la China del siglo XX. Usando el marco teórico de "infraestructura culinaria", muestra cómo las instalaciones físicas y tecnologías de producción de cerveza y comercialización interactuaron con las culturas de beber locales para formar los entendimientos de la cerveza en China. Comienza describiendo cómo un bien de consumo occidental originalmente comercializado a representantes coloniales fue adoptado gradualmente por los chinos urbanos como símbolo de modernidad en la primera mitad del siglo XX. Entonces, reseña la nacionalización de cerveceras de propiedad de extranjeros y el crecimiento de la producción local en las primeras décadas del gobierno comunista. El ensayo concluye que los chinos adquirieron el gusto por la cerveza como un marcador cotidiano de privilegio urbano que sobrevivió al radicalismo maoísta y permanece hasta hoy como una característica definitoria de la China comunista.

The heterogeneity of berry heterogeneity is a commonly occurring phenomenon that has a big influence on fruit composition and wine quality. To clarify this relationship, 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes were collected at harvest from a single vineyard and divided into three categories in two consecutive years: small (≤ 0.75 g), medium (0.76-1.25 g), and large (> 1.25 g). The medium berries were present in the highest frequency, accounting for more than 50% of the berry populations. The standard physicochemical parameters of the fruit were significantly affected by berry size. The relative skin mass and soluble solids contents, as well as total phenolic and anthocyanin concentrations, decreased with the berry size, while the relative seed mass, pH and malic acid content were positively correlated with berry weight. Accordingly, the wine composition also varied with berry size, as the wines made from small berries showed the highest alcohol and residual sugar content. CIELab parameters of the resulting wines showed the small berries were more desirable for making wine with a deeper and more saturated colour. With regard to volatile compounds, berry size showed a limited effect. Only 1-hexanol and /aevo-2,3-butanediol showed consistent and significant trends across vintages for wine volatiles, which showed the highest levels in wines made from the small category of berries.

ABSTRACT Aim: The role of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) in erectile dysfunction (ED) is not clearly determined. The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of LI-ESWT for ED patients. Materials and Methods: Relevant studies were searched in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG and VIP databases. Effective rate in terms of International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) and Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) at about 1XSmonth after LI-ESWT was extracted from eligible studies for meta-analysis to calculate risk ratio (RR) of effective treatment in ED patients treated by LI-ESWT compared to those receiving sham-treatment. Results: Overall fifteen studies were included in the review, of which four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were for meta-analysis. Effective treatment was 8.31 [95°/o confidence interval (CI): 3.88-17.78] times more effective in the LI-ESWT group (n=176) than in the sham-treatment group (n= 101) at about 1 month after the intervention in terms of EHS, while it was 2.50 (95% CI: 0.74–8.45) times more in the treatment group (n= 121) than in the control group (n=89) in terms of IIEF-EF. Nine-week protocol with energy density of 0.09mJ/mm2 and 1500 pluses seemed to have better therapeutic effect than five-week protocol. No significant adverse event was reported. Conclusion: LI-ESWT, as a noninvasive treatment, has potential short-term therapeutic effect on patients with organic ED irrespective of sensitivity to PDE5is. Owing to the limited number and quality of the studies, more large-scale, well-designed and longterm follow-up time studies are needed to confirm our analysis.

Abstract Background Airway remodeling is a key feature of asthma, characterized by increased proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). S100A8 is a calcium‑binding protein with a potential to regulate cell proliferation. Here, the effect of exogenous S100A8 protein on the proliferation of ASMCs induced by platelet‑derived growth factor (PDGF) and the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated. Methods Rat ASMCs were cultured with or without a neutralizing antibody to the receptor for advanced glycation end‑products (RAGE), a potential receptor for S100A8 protein. Purified recombinant rat S100A8 protein was then added into the cultured cells, and the proliferation of ASMCs induced by PDGF was detected by colorimetric‑based WST‑8 assay and ampedance‑based xCELLigence proliferation assay. The expression levels of RAGE in ASMCs were analyzed using western blotting assay. Results Results showed that exogenous S100A8 inhibited the PDGF‑induced proliferation of rat ASMCs in a dose‑ dependent manner with the maximal effect at 1 μg/ml in vitro. Furthermore, when ASMCs was pre‑treated with anti‑RAGE neutralizing antibody, the inhibitory effect of S100A8 on PDGF‑induced proliferation was significantly sup‑ pressed. In addition, neither the treatment with S100A8 or PDGF alone nor the pre‑treatment with rS100A8 followed by PDGF stimulation affected the expression levels of RAGE. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that S100A8 inhibits PDGF‑induced ASMCs proliferation in a manner depend‑ ent on membrane receptor RAGE.